KIMBALL – Fairly light precipitation, warming temperatures, and plenty of sunshine allowed farmers across much of the region to get into the field this past week.

The conditions also strongly boosted summer crop growth and winter wheat maturation.

Well managed pastures and rangeland continued to provide abundant cool season grass growth for forage, and as temperatures climbed toward summer norms warm season grasses were beginning to step into rapid growth.

Cattle and calves seemed to be thriving across much of the region in this very fine grass spring.

Calendar and celestial summer will arrive next Thursday, June 21, with the Summer Solstice which occurs at 4:07 a.m. MDT. This is the moment when the sun halts its northward movement and begins to move south again. The northerly solar track began six months ago on the first day of winter. Once the solstice has arrived the sun will move south for the next six months, then begin the northerly march once again. Next Thursday will feature the longest day and shortest night of the year. Six months hence, at the Winter Solstice, we will have the shortest day and longest night of the year.

Regional Forecast and Conditions

As of Tuesday morning (June 12), the temperature at sunrise was 49 degrees under clear skies. Winds were northerly at 16 mph gusting to 21 mph, and the barometer was rising at 30.13 inches of mercury (in/Hg).

Today’s weather (Friday, June 15) is expected to be mostly sunny and warm with a slight chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. The temperature is expected to rise to 88 degrees before falling off to an overnight low of 58. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be slightly cooler and sunny with a slight chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Daytime highs should range in the lower- to mid-80’s with overnight lows falling into the mid-50’s.

Monday through Wednesday are expected to be cooler but warming with clear skies and a continued chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Daytime air temperatures should range in the upper 70’s to low-80’s with overnight lows falling into the low 50’s.

Twenty-four hour average air temperatures warmed significantly across the region last week. At 13 selected stations across the Panhandle 24-hour temperatures averaged 71.3 degrees, about 7 degrees warmer than the previous week. At Kimball the June 5-11 daytime high averaged 86.71 degrees, about 7.5 degrees warmer than the previous week. The weekly high temperature was 93 degrees on June 5. Overnight lows averaged 54.42 degrees, about 7.5 degrees warmer than the previous week. The weekly low temperature was 50 degrees on June 11. The weekly mean temperature at Kimball was 70.57 degrees, about 7.5 degrees warmer than the previous week, and about 5.3 degrees warmer than the June average of 65.2 degrees. The long term average high and low temperatures at Kimball for June are 80.3 and 50.1, respectively.

Eleven of 13 selected Panhandle stations reported rain over the June 5-11 period. Rainfall totals ranged from 1.29 inches at Big Springs to 0.04 at Scottsbluff. Agate and Harrisburg reported zero precipitation for the week. Across the Panhandle rainfall averaged 0.38 inches, compared to 0.33 inches last week.

Soil temperatures warmed strongly across the Panhandle over the June 5-11 period: (this week/last week/change): Alliance 75.3/69.3 (+6.0) degrees; Gordon 73.4/69.5 (+3.9) degrees; Mitchell 73.1/65.5 (+7.6) degrees; Scottsbluff 75.2/67.5 (+7.7); and Sidney 77.6/69.1 (+8.5) degrees.

Winds near Kimball averaged southeasterly and generally mild over the June 5-11 period. Gusts for the week averaged 27.42 mph. High gust for the week was 44 mph on June 7.

Weather Almanac

Here’s an overview of June 15 temperature and precipitation highs, lows, and averages over the preceding 125 years at Kimball. Data is taken from the High Plains Regional Climate Center (www.hprcc.unl.edu), where you can easily find and track data for your own particular location.

Last year (June 15, 2017): Daily high temperature 83 degrees, overnight low 47 degrees, average temperature 65 degrees. Precipitation zero inches, snowfall zero inches, snow depth zero inches.

The warmest June 15 on record was 100 degrees in 2006. The coolest June 15 high temperature was 52 degrees in 1945. The coldest June 15 overnight low was 35 degrees in 2014. The warmest June 15 overnight low was 64 degrees in 1956. Over the years since 1893 the high temperature on June 15 has averaged 78 degrees, the overnight low 50 degrees, the daily average 64.1 degrees, precipitation has averaged 0.10 inches, snowfall zero inches, snow depth zero inches.

The highest June 15 precipitation total was 1.42 inches liquid equivalent (rain) in 1957. There is no record of snowfall or snow depth on June 15 over the last 125 years.

Snow has fallen on June 15 at Kimball zero times over the last 125 years.

U.S. Drought Monitor

National Summary: Frontal and thunderstorm activity provided moderate to heavy rain (at least 0.5-inch) over northern, eastern, and central portions of the CONUS this past week. A weakness in the mid-tropospheric subtropical ridge over the Gulf of Mexico and southeastern states contributed to the influx of subtropical moisture across this region.

Over the weekend, a cold front moved into the mid-Atlantic area and stalled, providing a lifting mechanism for the inflowing moisture. This resulted in heavy rain (generally 2-6 inches, locally greater) across much of Virginia, Maryland, eastern West Virginia, and southern Pennsylvania.

Temperatures were near to above average across practically the entire contiguous U.S., with the greatest departures (6-12 degrees above average, locally greater) for a large portion of the southern Great Plains, the Mississippi Valley, the Dakotas, the Great Lakes region, and the Ohio Valley.

High Plains: Heavy rain (2-6 inches, locally greater) fell over portions of North Dakota this week, with the highest amounts over the northwest part of the state. Much of the heaviest rain actually fell north of the Canadian border in extreme southeastern Saskatchewan.

Slight alterations (both improvement and deterioration) were rendered to the depiction in western, north-central, and southeastern North Dakota, based in part on the 1-month EDDI, which takes into account evaporative demand. Both improvements and degradations were also made to the South Dakota depiction, which received much less rain this week than its northern counterpart. For example, Aberdeen reported only 0.52-inch of rain in May (2.59 inches below normal), making it the seventh driest on record. An area of severe drought (D2) was introduced to northeastern South Dakota, based on 60-day precipitation deficits, 30-day and 60-day SPI, recent warm temperatures, and increased water demand through evapotranspiration. A spectacular dust storm, attended by 50-80 mph winds, blew through this region (Hand and Faulk Counties) on June 1.

In southeastern Colorado, a one-category degradation was made to the depiction in Kiowa County. Decent soil moisture from the wet summer and fall of 2017 is now gone, due to the recent hot, dry weather. This, in turn, has taken its toll on crops. Although welcome rains fell across eastern Nebraska this week, it was decided not to make any changes to the state depiction until more information is at hand next week.

West: Minor adjustments were made this week to the D0 area along the eastern Montana state line. In northwestern Montana, it was eventually decided to postpone the introduction of D0 to the region. Although some drying has occurred, this area experiences healthy stream and river flows, due to continuing snow melt.

In nearby northern Idaho, recent flooding precludes the introduction of any D0 at this time. This area will continue to be monitored for the possible inclusion of D0 in the next week or two.

In western Oregon and western Washington, an extended dry pattern set in ahead of schedule, with rapidly declining stream flows (most are now within the lowest quartile of the historical distribution for the day of the year). There is a notable degradation in the SPI maps going from 60- to 30-days out. The more recent SPI values in this region range between -2.0 and -2.5. Accordingly, D0 was expanded across western portions of both Oregon and Washington this week.

Finally, in southwestern New Mexico, water restrictions were initiated as storage in the Elephant Butte and Caballo reservoirs (along the Rio Grande in Sierra County) dropped below 400,000 acre-feet.

U.S. Conditions and Weather Report

Showers were most numerous across the northern U.S., with a few areas in the upper Midwest receiving excessive rainfall (locally 2 to 6 inches) on June 9-10. Parts of the South, mainly from Texas to Florida, also received locally heavy rain. However, the scattered nature of the Southern showers, along with near- or above-normal temperatures, led to continuing crop stress in portions of the south-central U.S.

Early-season heat continued across a broad area of the country. Notably, weekly temperatures averaged as much as 10 degrees above normal in many locations from the Four Corners States to the northern Plains. Heat across the nation’s midsection peaked on June 5, when high temperatures locally topped 100 degrees as far north as South Dakota. Persistent heat gripped the south-central U.S., including much of Texas, where temperatures regularly exceeded 100 degrees from June 5-7.

In contrast, weekly temperatures averaged at least 5 degrees below normal in northern New England.

On the Plains, hit-or-miss showers generally benefited rangeland, pastures, and summer crops. However, elevated temperatures partially offset the positive effects of rainfall, especially on the drought-affected southern Plains.

Elsewhere, occasional showers from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Rockies contrasted with mostly dry weather in California and the Southwest. By week’s end, more than a dozen wildfires, in various stages of containment, were actively burning in the Four Corners States. 

USDA Weekly Weather and Crop Reports

Colorado

Colorado experienced abnormally hot and dry conditions which accelerated crop development and fieldwork across Colorado last week.  Most areas received no moisture last week, but some isolated storms with damaging hail were observed in northeastern counties.

Northeastern county reporters noted most crops and rangeland were in overall good condition.  However, hot temperatures and windy, dry conditions were concerning for non-irrigated crop yields in drier areas.

In east central counties, pasture conditions continued to decline due to lack of moisture.  Concerns were also noted regarding the effect of no received moisture and hot temperatures on winter wheat test weights.

In southwestern counties, drought conditions persisted with no relief.  Fire danger was extremely high with an additional fire reported last week.  A reporter noted that many spring crops were not emerging as expected and that irrigation water availability was a fraction of normal.  Higher incidences of grasshoppers were also reported.

In the San Luis Valley, reporters noted potatoes were mostly emerged and growing fast.  Barley was also starting to head.  Rangeland was noted to be in poor condition with decreased production in areas due to lack of moisture.

Southeastern county reporters noted conditions were hot and dry last week, but that alfalfa harvest was moving along and quality was good so far.

Statewide, winter wheat was rated 53 percent good to excellent, compared with 48 percent good to excellent last year.

Stored feed supplies were rated 8 percent very short, 23 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Sheep death loss was 42 percent average and 58 percent light.  Cattle death loss was 72 percent average and 28 percent light.

Nebraska

(May 29, June 4, June 11) No report published. 

Wyoming

Wyoming experienced above normal temperatures for the week.  Thirty-three of the 34 reporting stations reported above average temperatures for the week with the high temperature of 95 degrees recorded at Torrington and a low of 33 degrees at Yellowstone.

Below normal moisture was reported at all 34 of the reporting stations.  Twenty stations reported no precipitation.  Buffalo-Johnson reported the most moisture with 0.55 inches.

A reporter from North Central Wyoming noted that crops remain behind due to a late spring.  Another reporter from North Central Wyoming indicated that small rain showers overnight have helped with moisture and weevils have become a big problem.  They also noted that livestock have bounced back from a harsh cold spring.

A reporter from Northeastern Wyoming indicated that very warm temperatures have started to cure out some of the grasses.

A reporter from Western Wyoming indicated that they got a frost which nipped some of the alfalfa.

A reporter from South Central Wyoming stated that it has been dry and hot and they are in need of moisture.  Another reporter from South Central Wyoming indicated that the dry conditions have forced some ranchers to ship livestock for sale.

A reporter from Southeastern Wyoming stated that conditions are drying out quickly.

Irrigation water supply across Wyoming was rated 1 percent poor, 4 percent fair, 91 percent good, and 4 percent excellent.

Stock water supplies across Wyoming were rated 2 percent very short, 6 percent short, 91 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.